LAUGFS Supermarkets committed to deliver amidst obstacles

Opening doors to customers whilst maintaining Social Distancing

The sequence of events that unfolded in the island during the past few weeks due to COVID-19, have made many businesses rethink their traditional operational models. When the demand for fresh produce and grocery items in a curfew-ridden city started escalating LAUGFS Supermarkets restructured their operations to meet this need.

LAUGFS Supermarkets set up their online order system through grocerypal.lk., allowing customers the option to order online and goods to be delivered to their homes. Customers also had the ability to order through the website and collect their goods from selected supermarket outlets when the curfew was lifted. It is of importance for LAUGFS Supermarkets to allow the customer to order what is really needed and to provide them with the option to choose and to minimise substitution. Currently the Grocerypal.lk website is going through a revamp, to improve its ability to handle more traffic and will be operational soon.

During this tumultuous time LAUGFS Supermarkets went a step further to make it more convenient for their customers by reaching their doorstep using lorries loaded with essentials. This initiative was executed by LAUGFS Supermarkets located in Seeduwa, Negombo, Mattegoda, Chilaw, Baseline, Raddolugama, Katubedda and Hokandara. Moreover, LAUGFS Supermarkets proactively approached the top tier of their loyalty card, ‘LAUGFS One’ to ensure that their needs were met during these times of restricted access. In order to reach out to as many customers as they possibly could they also initiated deliveries through a reputed cab service mobile application, using their supermarket located in Pepiliyana.

Currently the supermarkets operate on the call and order system, where customers directly reach the outlets via phone and place their orders; which are then delivered to their doorstep. Until the curfew is lifted all LAUGFS Supermarket outlets are committed to operating in this manner to reach out to as many customers as possible. They have introduced an option to all curfew pass holders to handover their grocery lists to any of their outlets, which will then be prepared by the staff and delivered to their addresses.

LAUGFS Supermarkets are currently focussing on reaching the customer by improving their online presence, and allowing them the option to customise their shopping list through Grocerypal.lk. MEDZ, LAUGFS Supermarket chain’s pharmacy network, joined hands with a reputed online pharmacy chain to supply prescription medicines from 1 April. They also organise deliveries of LAUGFS Gas through selected supermarkets; all of these approaches by LAUGFS Supermarkets are focussed on the sole objective of enabling their customers to fulfil all their domestic needs using one touch point.

LAUGFS Supermarkets Chief Executive Officer Lilanthi Herath commented, “Since the curfew was announced on 20 March, LAUGFS Supermarkets have served over 100,000 customers, despite the lack of manpower, limited supply chain and other challenges. The credit goes to the dedicated staff members, who are working around the clock to find solutions to road blocks, innovate new methods of reaching the customer to ensure that we meet the needs of their families during this time.”

A pioneer brand in the supermarket concept in Sri Lanka, LAUGFS Supermarkets introduced the chain of 24-hour supermarket retailing concept in Sri Lanka. The Company currently manages 37 supermarket outlets in Colombo and its suburbs, including Kurunegala and Chilaw. The Company’s flagship brands, LAUGFS Super and LAUGFS SuperMart, cater to over 800,000 shoppers monthly. The supermarket chain also features its very own Crimson Bakeries and Medz Pharmacies, while catering to a broad spectrum of everyday customer needs such as utility bill payment facilities, providing continued convenience to its customers.

LAUGFS Holdings Ltd. is one of the largest diversified business conglomerates and a trusted and well-loved home-grown business in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1995, LAUGFS today has expanded across 20 industries in Sri Lanka and overseas, establishing a strong presence as a leader and pioneer in the power and energy, retail, industrial, services, leisure and logistics sectors. With 4,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 54 billion, LAUGFS continues to expand and empower millions as a trusted Sri Lankan brand.